Research Summary: Taking Of Innocent Lives

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Taking of Innocent Lives During the Salem Witch Trials, According to Bakker, “at least 156 people were formally accused, and another sixteen” were named in court by the afflicted girls, but not actually tried, “meaning at least 172 were accused or informally cried out upon.” (2017). When in court, “everyone who pled not guilty was swiftly tried and convicted, and almost all were soon executed, yet, everyone who pled guilty was still alive.” (Bakker, 2017). The Puritans believed in forgiveness and repenting, therefore anyone who pled guilty was thought to be cleansed or in the process of change. Along with this they were also forced to provide the names of other witches. In the end, “twenty-five would perish in the crisis.” (Bakker, 2017).

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